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The Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue and Characterplus hosted a dinner auction at the St. Louis Artist Guild, Saturday, April 21, 2012. The two groups built on the previous year's theme, "The 4-Way Test 2 Character" because it epitomizes the values both organizations espouse. 110 guests attended to manifest their support of Characterplus' mission of character education in the local schools and Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self", a noble cause in itself. The event also memorialized the special contrubutions of Characterplus' founder and Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue's good friend, Sanford N. McDonnell.

Terry Baer, Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue, chaired the dinner auction with the help of a committee consisting of fellow Rotarians and some Characterplus representatives. John Hancock, political consultant and radio host, served as the master of ceremonies and auctioneer, using a keen wit and sense of humor to motivate the guests' bidding. The speaker, Randy McDonnell, owner of Advanced Aerospace Technologies, Inc. and chairman of Characterplus, gave a moving tribute to his father, who founded Characterplus on the principles that children need to strive for excellence ("performance character") and simultaneously maintain ethical behavior ("ethical character").

The oral auction included a framed watercolor by the late Sandy McDonnell, four days, three nights at a Keystone, Colorado condominium, a wine tasting for 8, a one-hour plane ride for 2 from Chesterfield Airport, Cardinals tickets behind home plate, and a bottle of 1983 Chateau La Tour Bordeau. The funds raised from the gala will benefit the Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue's charitable endeavors and the educational programs and services of Characterplus.

Characterplus, an initiative of Cooperating School Districts, was created in 1988 when a concerned group of citizens, led by Sanford N. McDonnell, Chairman Emeritus of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, united to address issues related to student character, responsibility, and academic achievement.

The organization works with over 78 school districts in the St. Louis region, offering character education expertise, materials, and professional development workshops to educators. Characterplus provides quality training, resources and leadership to help parents and schools accomplish one of their most important jobs-the character development of the next generation. For more information, visit www.characterplus.org.

The Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue was founded in 1923 and represents one of the oldest chapters in St. Louis. The Members provide charitable grants, donations, and service to numerous nonprofit and service organizations. Additionally, The Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue supports youth exchange and ambassadorial scholarships as well as Rotary International's humanitarian projects throughout the world.

Emphasizing "Service Above Self", Rotary Clubs have funded projects to eradicate polio, provide clean water, improve world-wide literacy, and administer laser eye surgeries. Rotary defies geographical borders by encouraging high ethical standards among its members to foster goodwill and peace. In all Rotarians think, say, and do, they are encouraged to adhere to the Four Way Test:

• Is it the Truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

To view more information on this event, and to see photos, go to Dinner Auction 2012.

For more information about our club, contact Us at: durbinte@yahoo.com.